Wood Recycling Center Agrees To Restrictions

Attorneys for Harris County and Wood Resources Inc., where a massive fire erupted last month, agreed on a court order late last month for a "fire prevention plan."

The county sued the wood recycling center and mulch operation after the fire that started Nov. 6 resulted in pervasive smoke that prompted health and pollution concerns among residents.

Friday's agreement prohibits Wood Resources from accepting any further materials such as stumps, logs, branches, lumber and other wood.

The 100,000 cubic yards of material already there may be mulched, with proceeds going into the court registry until the case is tried or settled.

County Attorney Mike Stafford has said he wants Wood and the property owners to reimburse the county for the estimated $2.35 million it spent to hire Boots & Coots to extinguish the fire.

Stafford said his office is also studying the possibility of forcing Wood and others involved to cover the cost of anything spent by the eight volunteer fire departments and other agencies involved in fighting the blaze. Houston Chronicle